A SHEEP farmer has applied to have a 49ft-high wind turbine on his farm to reduce his carbon footprint.

Mike Corrigan, owner of Eastfields Farm in Nunthorpe, is seeking planning permission for the turbine, which has blades which extend a further 28ft.

The 57-year-old said he was keen to reduce the farm’s carbon footprint.

The grandad-of-one and dad-of-three said: “We’re not talking about a great big monstrosity that you can see from miles around.

“It will be 200m from our house so if anyone gets annoyed it will be us.”

The proposed white turbine would be on the south west of the farm which also has four eco-friendly holiday lodges.

The turbine would generate electricity to help run heat pumps for the farmhouse and holiday cottages.

It would be located about half a mile away from the A172, and be visible from the road, from nearby public footpaths and the top of Roseberry Topping.

In his written application to Middlesbrough Council, Mr Corrigan said: “Given the turbine’s location, low height and colour finish, it’s considered that the landscape and pattern of open fields around the farmstead would remain dominant in all public views of the turbine.”

The nearest neighbours to the farm, are around half a mile away.

Since buying the farm in 2001 Mr Corrigan has planted over 11,000 trees over seven hectares, and planted nectar and pollen meadows as part of a commitment to a sustainable way of life.